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Speakers: Use talents for life

Asked what liked about Fort Morgan

Fort Morgan High School graduates who wore the yellow cords had grade point averages of 3.75 or higher at the Fort Morgan High School graduation ceremony Saturday. (Dan Barker/ Fort Morgan Times)

Salutatorian Sara Azimi was one of a few to receive special recognition for having a 4.0 grade point average at the Fort Morgan High School graduation ceremony Saturday. (Dan Barker/ Fort Morgan Times)

Fort Morgan High School graduates heard encouragement to pursue what they really want to do with their lives during their commencement ceremonies on Saturday at Legion Field.

"Only you know what you want," said valedictorian Tori Weingarten.

People must believe in their own potential in order to fulfill their dreams, she said, whether that is ending world hunger or living a happy life.

"You will not fail as long as you use your talents to do what you love," said salutatorian Sara Azimi.

Of course, it requires perseverance, effort and practice, but if a person does what he or she wants to do, he or she has not failed, she said.

Valedictorian Tori Weingarten encouraged graduates to set goals and try hard to succeed in the rest of their lives during the Fort Morgan High School graduation ceremony Saturday. (Dan Barker/ Fort Morgan Times)

Azimi noted that most people will have someone who will help make sure that they do not fail. In her case, her guardian angel was her mother, but just about everyone has someone, whether that was for high school or later.

If people set goals and try hard enough, they can succeed, but there is more to life than work and goals, Weingarten cautioned.

Some people think they will be happy if they meet their goals, but they forget to be happy along the way, she said.

"Don't deprive yourself of happiness by missing what is right in front of you," Weingarten said.

There are no promises for the future, but with the roots and wings they were given through the years, they can build their futures, she said.

Coke is no stranger to discouragement.

She said she was not a big fan of high school, but it got worse when her best friend — her sister — was lost to cancer.

Her brother kept encouraging her to go away to college, but it was difficult, because no one in her family had ever gone to college, Coke said.

Then a telephone call in the middle of the night informed her that her brother was struck by a vehicle while riding a bicycle, she said.

That led to serious discouragement. She wondered what the point of it all was when "everything can be taken from you in a split second."

However, her parents did not give up on her, encouraging her to pursue a life they could never have dreamed of, which gave her wings. Today, Coke is an associate professor and the director of English education at Colorado State University, having earned a doctoral degree.

Her experience shows the value of both roots and wings. Roots are the foundation of life, and wings are what take people where they are going, she said.

She surveyed some of the graduates, who told her what they liked best about living in Fort Morgan. Answers were pretty similar. They liked the small size of the town and the close-knit relationships they had, which provided support and encouragement.

The people of Fort Morgan, parents and teachers helped plant the roots of the graduates, Coke said.

"Use your gifts wisely," Coke advised the graduates.

Ceremonies began with the processional and the national anthem played by the Fort Morgan High School Band.

Student Senate representatives Kaylee Dermer and Travis Freeman gave the welcome message. Freeman began talking about the commencement in the same way that he had done announcements over the intercom system through the years.

"Thank you, and have a great day Fort Morgan High School," he ended his speech, again as he had done for years.

The FMHS Band played the theme from the "Family Guy" TV show and the Morgan High Singers sang "Pompeii."

FMHS Principal Ben Bauman announced special graduates who had achieved 4.0 or better grade point averages, and those graduates came to the stage to be greeted by Superintendent Ron Echols.

Graduates who had 3.75 grade point averages and above wore gold cords.

The Fort Morgan Board of Education and Echols presented the diplomas.

Matthew Hofman, Chris Anderson and Michael McClary performed "September" before the recessional by the band.

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